Commercial Sexual Exploitation of Children and the School Nurse

Abstract

As trusted health professionals in the school setting, school nurses are well positioned to identify students who may be victims of commercial sexual exploitation of children (CSEC). However, until recently this issue has been clouded by lack of awareness, stigma, and/or denial. Since nationally the average age of entry for girls into the commercial sex industry (specifically prostitution) is 12-15 years old, many of these young people continue to attend school although attendance may be sporadic. Additional continuing education is needed to increase school nurses' awareness that these young victims might be in their practices, whether they are located in urban, rural, or suburban communities. As primary sources of health care for children throughout the United States, school nurses have a pivotal role in helping an exploited girl move beyond invisibility to a path of safety and support-and a new life.

Prostitución de menores en locales registrados en México

“…En el medio académico el comercio sexual de menores ha sido examinado a través de un paradigma dominante sustentado en la categoría "explotación sexual comercial infantil" (Estes et al 2008;Casillas 2008;Reid 2011;Grace et al 2012) y en la categoría "trabajo sexual juvenil" sostenida por un número muy reducido de académicos (Katsulis 2010;Marcus et al 2014). La primera no encuentra diferencias entre modos forzados y no forzados, mientras que la última subraya la especificidad de los modos no forzados.…”

“…La categoría "explotación sexual comercial infantil" incluye los siguientes elementos axiomáticos: 1/ el menor es víctima de un proxeneta o traficante 3 ; 2/ la prostitución de menores constituye trata de personas; 3/ el menor carece de agencia, y 4/ el menor es víctima del cliente (Estes et al 2008;Casillas 2008;Reid 2011;Grace et al 2012).…”

Child Trafficking: A Concept Analysis

“…For example, an article on the cultural components of child labor in countries in Africa had a very different focus than did an article that deconstructed law related to the trafficking of children on a global level. Common attributes among these diverse perspectives, however, were identified and include: (a) age, (b) vulnerability, (c) exploitation, and (d) violation of human rights (Bergman, 2011;Chung, 2009;Estes & Weiner, 2001;Goździak 2008;Goldblatt Grace, Starck, Potenza, Kenney, & Sjeetz, 2012;Howard, 2012;Kotrla, 2010;Logan & Hunt, 2009;Miko & Park, 2002;Smith, 2011).…”

“…Demands in both the economic and sexual market for children result in recruitment strategies that play upon the child's lack of knowledge and access to external resources. Therefore, youth is considered an attribute of child trafficking (Chung, 2009;Estes & Weiner, 2001;Fong & Berger Cardoso, 2010;Goździak 2008;Goldblatt Grace et al, 2012;Jordan et al, 2013;Kotrla, 2010;Lalor, 2004;Logan & Hunt, 2009;Miko & Park, 2002).…”

“…These psychological outcomes, also known as complex trauma, occur as the result of endured abuse that has occurred repeatedly and cumulatively over a period of time and within specific relational contexts (Courtois, 2004). The literature also included a focus on the role of healthcare providers in responding to the physical consequences of child trafficking, including sexually transmitted infections, unwanted abortions, and malnutrition (Fong & Berger Cardoso, 2010;Goldblatt Grace et al, 2012). Further, the literature presented the diverse legal needs of children, created as a result of their trafficking histories, including protection by law enforcement, working legal definitions of child trafficking in societies where there were none, and special legal representation of children to advocate for their rights in fighting the abuses and exploitation that they have endured (Goździak, 2008).…”